WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 5587 · 119th Congress

HEATS Act

Passed HouseEnergy
IntroducedSep 26, 2025
Passed HouseApr 23, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jul 15, 2026: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. The House passed it 231–186. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 5587 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Apr 28, 2026).

30 U.S.C. 1001 Definitions

What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 30 U.S.C. 1001added 30by H.R. 5587 Sec. 2

    30 No Federal permit required for geothermal activities on certain land.—(a) In general.— The Secretary shall not require an operator to obtain a Federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production activities conducted on a non-Federal surface estate, provided that—(1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action; and(2) the operator submits to the Secretary a State permit to conduct geothermal exploration and production activities on the non-Federal surface estate.(b) No Federal action.— A geothermal exploration and production activity carried out under subsection (a)—(1) shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;(2) shall require no additional Federal action;(3) may commence 30 days after submission of the State permit to the Secretary;(4) shall not be subject to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and(5) shall only be considered an undertaking under division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the "National Historic Preservation Act"), if, with respect to the State in which the activity occurs, there is no State law in effect that addresses the preservation of historic properties in such State.(c) Royalties and production accountability.—(1) Nothing in this section shall affect the amount of royalties due to the United States under this Act from the production of electricity using geothermal resources (other than direct use of geothermal resources) or the production of any byproducts.(2) The Secretary may conduct onsite reviews and inspections to ensure proper accountability, measurement, and reporting of the production described in subsection (a), and payment of royalties.(d) Exceptions.— This section shall not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes.(e) Indian land.— In this section, the term Indian land means—(1) any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; and(2) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held—(A) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian;(B) by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or(C) by a dependent Indian community.

    The bill says: The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (30 U.S.C. 1001)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act

This bill exempts certain geothermal activities on state and private lands (except Indian lands) from drilling permit requirements as well as environmental and historic preservation review requirements.

First, the bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a drilling permit under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for any geothermal exploration and production activity conducted on a nonfederal surface estate (i.e., the part of the estate that is above ground) if (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action, and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct the geothermal exploration and production activity on the nonfederal surface estate.

Next, the bill states that such geothermal exploration and production activity is not considered a major federal action under National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such activity does not trigger NEPA's environmental review requirements.

In addition, the bill exempts such activity from the consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also exempts the activity from review under the National Historic Preservation Act unless the state in which the activity occurs does not have a state law that addresses the preservation of historic properties.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Sep 26, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Jul 15, 2026Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.Senate
  2. Apr 28, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
  3. Apr 23, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  4. Apr 23, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  5. Apr 23, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  6. Apr 23, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  7. Apr 23, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5587.House floor actions
  8. Apr 23, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.House floor actions
  9. Apr 23, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3073-3077)House floor actions
  10. Apr 22, 2026Rule H. Res. 1189 passed House.House floor actions
  11. Apr 20, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.House floor actions
  12. Apr 15, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 531.House floor actions
  13. Apr 15, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.House floor actions
  14. Apr 15, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.Library of Congress
  15. Mar 5, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.House committee actions
  16. Mar 5, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  17. Mar 5, 2026Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources DischargedHouse committee actions
  18. Dec 16, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  19. Dec 9, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.House committee actions
  20. Sep 26, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  21. Sep 26, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  22. Sep 26, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Apr 23, 2026 · HousePassed 231–186
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 208 yes, 0 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 22 yes, 186 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Nicholas J. Begich III R-AK-At Large
  • Adam Gray D-CA-13